Six of the best saw Stourbridge move up to second in National League Two North, level on points with early leaders Sale, as the promotion contenders jockey for position.

After grinding out a result against South Leicester in last week’s season opener Stour took the game on with some expansive rugby although they had to come from behind after a shaky start.

Director of rugby Neil Mitchell said: “It was a local derby and it is a difficult place to come and get points so it was a good result but we conceded in the first couple of minutes and we left ourselves a bit exposed at times, which might be down to inexperience.

“Centre Joe Heatley scored two fantastic tries. He is so big and powerful he ran in from 50 yards virtually unopposed. We scored some good tries but I was disappointed we leaked 12 or 15 points when we were stretched out wide so there is plenty to work on.”

The defensive lapses he conceded could be down to both youth on the flanks coupled with inexperience but was quick to point out that the North Herefordshire side have recruited well and are not an easy side to beat.

“Luctonians are a very good side and the score doesn’t reflect that so it could have been closer.”

New fly-half Luke White cancelled out Lucs’ early try with two penalties before converting a try from left-wing Joe Bridger and tries by makeshift flanker Billy Harding and scrum-half Ben Tibbetts and another penalty gave Stour a 30-13 lead at the break.

On his first team debut Stour Lions full-back George Tildesley went over on 43 minutes with Heatley scoring the first of his two tries minutes later with White landing two more conversions, the third, which would have breached the 50-point barrier, hitting an upright and a penalty in the final moments for a second chance to reach the magic 50 missing by inches.